The National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production, chaired by MNA Syed Hafeezuddin, on Tuesday expressed concern over the closure of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).
During the meeting, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the government has closed down Utility Stores to prevent mounting losses, a move affecting 6,000 employees.
Industries and Production Secretary Saif Anjum told the committee that USC operations were fully halted in line with the government’s July 31 deadline and that relief packages for employees had been approved and would be disbursed within 15 days.
The PM’s aide said the closure was made “with a heavy heart,” noting that governments rarely run businesses without incurring losses. He added that the International Monetary Fund had advised the government to either reduce losses or shut down USC operations.
Officials cited widespread corruption and the financial burden of subsidies as reasons for the shutdown. An official told the committee that running USC for two more years would have required Rs20 to 25 billion.
When committee member Mahesh Kumar requested reconsideration of the closure, Anjum said all operations had already ceased.
During the session, Akhtar Khan also mentioned plans to deliberate on reviving Pakistan Steel Mills with Russian support, saying a final decision would be made by the end of the month.
The NA committee formed a subcommittee, chaired by MNA Romina Khurshid Alam, to oversee the implementation of the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) for employees, address their grievances, and examine USC’s property-related matters.
Additionally, the committee considered The Motor Vehicles Industry Development Bill, 2025, and with a majority vote, recommended that the National Assembly approve the bill.
The meeting was attended by MNAs including Shahid Usman, Riaz Ul Haq, Kiran Imran Dar, Romina Khurshid Alam, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Naz Baloch, Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Muhammad Saad Ullah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, along with other senior officials from the ministry and its attached departments.
